NEEP Recognizes Four National Grid Customers As 2014 Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has chosen four National Grid commercial customers, as 2014 ‘Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency’ for their efforts to foster the economy and protect the environment via their commitment to energy efficiency. The four organizations, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Chestnut Hill Realty, Citizens Bank, N.A. and Union College were among 14 organizations named as this year’s Business Leaders, recognized at the Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit in Newport, RI on June 2-3, 2014.

Each of the nominees was honored for their continued efforts to advance energy efficiency in its operations, which has resulted in energy and cost savings.

The Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency recognition program highlights the accomplishments of organizations that are participating in energy efficiency programs across the region. All of the honorees were selected for recognition based on their success to:

• Achieve energy savings through investment in cost efficient measures;
• Address comprehensive changes in major energy systems such as lighting, HVAC, building envelope, office equipment and industrial processes, with a focus on improvements in multiple fuel categories;
• Continue improvements in energy performance through management level support and operational practices; and
• Demonstrate leadership to advance energy efficiency and to promote its benefits within their communities.

National Grid New England and New York customers being recognized include:

Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods

The Massachusetts-based company manufactures and distributes Mediterranean foods throughout the United States. They are continually looking at innovative ways to reduce costs and increase productivity and were recognized for two major energy efficiency projects, which not only resulted in energy and cost savings but also allowed them to eliminate some equipment and reduce electrical load on others.

Chestnut Hill Realty

The company owns and operates over 4500 apartments and townhouses at 27 multifamily properties in Greater Boston and Rhode Island. CHR’s green initiatives include conservation of energy spent on heating, hot water and lighting, water conservation, recycling, and education of residents and staff at its properties. The company’s green policies are geared toward cutting fuel consumption and saving natural resources while improving the comfort and quality of life of their residents.

Citizens Bank, N.A.

Headquartered in Providence, RI, Citizens implemented several energy efficiency projects across their Rhode Island portfolio.  These measures included, lighting retrofits and lighting controls, exterior lighting, and HVAC enhancements. Over the last several years the company has put a plan in place to reduce their energy consumption across all their RI locations including large data centers, office buildings and their RI branches.

Union College

The school has implemented multiple energy and cost saving systems at its Schenectady, NY campus including improvements to the school library’s cooling and air handling system that utilize geothermal wells. The new system allows for better control of required temperature and humidity levels in the building. In addition, the school installed a new high-efficiency natural gas boiler that replaced an existing boiler in a student residence hall.

“NEEP is proud to recognize these National Grid customers for their success and commitment to energy efficiency,” said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. “They provide an excellent example of how energy efficient measures can improve an organization’s bottom line, contribute to economic growth and reduce environmental impact.”

"National Grid is pleased to stand alongside our customers who have demonstrated great leadership in addressing the many complex challenges we face today with energy and environmental issues" said Ed White, National Grid's Vice President of Customer Strategy and Environmental. "They demonstrate how we all can all benefit from pragmatic and sensible practices to reduce our energy costs and strengthen our communities."

The National Grid customers were recognized, along with ten other Northeast Energy Efficiency Business Leaders, at the 2014 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit.

ABOUT NEEP

NEEP was founded in 1996 as a non-profit whose mission is to serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector through public policy, program strategies and education. Our vision is that the region will fully embrace energy efficiency as a cornerstone of sustainable energy policy to help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system. For more information, visit www.neep.org.  

ABOUT THE NORTHEAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY SUMMIT

NEEP's Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit, June 2-3 in Newport, RI, is the premier regional forum to learn about and become involved in energy efficiency in the Northeast. This two-day event brings over 300 people together – including leaders from across the region in public policy, business, energy efficiency solutions, and consumer and environmental advocacy – to support the vision of energy efficiency as a cornerstone of sustainable energy policy to help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system. In 2014 we will be looking at how to scale up energy efficiency as we move towards a low-carbon future and we are introducing the NEEP Power Talks as a way to engage our audience, spur discussion and bring Summit attendees some of the brightest minds working on paving the way to a low-carbon future using energy efficiency. Register and find out about Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities today at www.neep.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL GRID

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.

In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. 

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com. Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Instagram.

For more information contact:

Lisa Cascio

Public Relations Manager

781-860-9177 Ext. 137

lcascio@neep.org

Website: www.neep.org

Blog: www.energyefficiencymatters.org

On Twitter: www.twitter.com/NEEPenergy